Veluthu Kattu audio CD released by Vijay

The audio CD of ‘Veluthu Kattu’, a film produced by S A Chandrasekaran, was released in Chennai on Wednesday by Vijay. The first copy was received by Kushboo who spoke on length on the lack of Tamil actresses in Kollywood.

“There are a lot of beautiful girls in Tamil Nadu. But our filmmakers are willing to rope in north Indian actresses. However, Chandrasekaran has introduced a Tamil girl as the heroine in this film,” she said.

In his address, Vijay said his father always believed in giving opportunities to freshers than going behind established artistes. “He has created many stars including Vijayakanth, Rahman and Simran,” he said.

Describing Chandrasekaran as a pillar of strength, the actor said, “He always stood behind me. He is the one who would rescue me whenever I am in trouble. I am indebted to him a lot.” ‘Veluthu Kattu’, directed by Senapathimagan, has music score by Bharani.

Others who had attended the audio launch function include Tamil Film Producers Council president Rama Narayanan, Theatre Owners Association chief Abirami Ramanathan, FEFSI president V C Guhanathan and hero and heroine of the movie Kadhir and Arundhathi.

Vijay and Sangeetha watch Paiya movie in Sathyam cinemas

The Paiyaa premiere on Friday night saw an impressive turn out of celebrities from Tamil cinema attending the show at the Sathyam cinemas. Significant among the attendees who walked the red carpet were Vijay and Sangeetha, Venkat Prabhu, Premji Amaran, Jai, Parthiban, Vivek, Silambarasan, Krish Sangeetha, Sibiraj, Revathi, Gautham Menon and Vishnuvardhan. A visibly cheery Karthi and Tamannah were also present at the premiere.

Paiyaa’s opening day has reportedly been remarkable in both urban and rural centers. According to the film sources, many promotional events are also planned for the movie’s publicity in Chennai city.

Selvaraghavan is in trouble

Chozhar Peravai’s president TVK Azhagiri has filed a petition in the High Court against producer Dream Valley Corporation and director Selvaraghavan for making the film Aayirathil Oruvan. The petitioner has also included the Censor Board for certifying the film. According to the petitioner, the film depicts the people of the Chozha period in a bad light whereas it was one of the most civilized cultures in the world. He had stated that Chozha Age was the golden age.

TVK Azhagiri has sought a ban on AO. The issue was taken up for hearing on Friday (February 5, 2010). The judge, after hearing the petitioner, has ordered to issue a notice seeking an explanation from Dream Valley Corporation, director Selvaraghavan and the Censor Board before February 17th.

Poorna is waiting for the release of Viththagan

Click here to get Poorna's image Gallery 

After ‘Kandha Kottai’, Poorna was waiting for the release of ‘Viththagan’ in which she pairs opposite Parthiban. But ‘Viththagan’ shows no signs of release and the girl has decided move on and started accepting new offers. She has accepted a new film to be directed by a women journalist Vijayapadma. The hero of the film ‘Kaiyezhuthu’ Shaan plays the male lead.

Poorna is spending a lot of time these days learning skating dance. She knew the art before but discontinued after she became busy in films. But now she has taken it up again or two reasons. One is to shed some flab that she gained unintentionally after ‘Kandha Kottai’. And the other reasons that she wants to do a film as a skating dancer and show her skating skills. As the master is in Kerala Poorna rushes to Kerala whenever she finds time for it.

Aayirathil Oruvan movie Review

Starring: : Karthi, Reema Sen, Andrea, Parthiban.
Direction: Selvaraghavan
Music: GV Prakash Kumar
Production: Dream Valley Corporation

With Aayirathil Oruvan, Selvaraghavan has inadvertently opened the Pandora box of a new genre as yet unknown to Tamil movies – Zombies. It is the case of Pirates of the Carribean meets Dawn of the Death where the ancient Cholas, albeit with whatsoever no connection to the real Cholas as the disclaimer maintains, are reduced to dark-as-charcoal skinned tribesmen living in an unknown island in Vietnam, who are ready to gorge at raw flesh at the mere sight of it since they are starved.

So the dark-skinned subjects largely set the tone of the movie and the darkness remains dominant throughout. There is blood and gore, but of a different kind: not the one that makes you squirm, but something that makes you gawk at.

Thousands of years ago, when the Cholas were ousted from their homeland by the Pandias, their throne Prince was sent into exile to a secret location by the last Chola King. The Prince also carried with him a priceless statue of the Pandias. No efforts were fruitful at tracing the location and archeologists attempting the same simply disappear without a trace.
Andrea's dad and archeologist Prathap Pothen vanishes into thin air in his attempt to unravel the mystery. In comes the archeologist-cum-gun-wielding-designer-sunglasses-sporting ultra modern chick Reema, employed by the Indian government to trace Pothen. Andrea, his daughter, obviously joins in and they employ Karthi and a gang of burly men as helps. Karthi looks as if he's stepped out of his Paruthiveeran sets to join Reema and Andrea in their quest.

Their expedition unfurls nasty surprises after surprises - body-painted weirdos with strange weapons, quicksand, snakes. Lest we forget, there is also a cat fight between Reema and Andrea on the topic 'Karthi'. They finally reach the zombie land where Parthiban is the ruler whose raw-flesh-eating subjects take them into custody. Reema reveals her real self and exposes the self-centric purpose of her quest.

Karthi has very little to spare for Aayirathil Oruvan. He plays the rustic help, who instantly falls for Reema and Andrea, who cracks witty one-liners much to our delight in the otherwise serious state of affairs. Being his forte, it comes much easier for him without even having to try.

Despite having to mouth profound verses in ancient Tamil, Reema manages to only mime them with improper synchronization and it makes her appear as if she's in a Chinese movie. Andrea is multi-talented, but acting, sadly, is not one of those. But her meager dialogues in Madras Tamil are bang on otherwise.

G V Prakash's music stands out in the 'Ommele Aasathaan' song and a word about the background score: it's a battle between the background score and the blood thirsty human screeches. We would've loved to write about Eerum Ali's costume designing if only Reema and Andrea were not strutting around in just one pair of satin-shirt-shorts-overalls and sleeveless top and baggies respectively. Karthi leaves no scope for Eerum squarely.

Selva's frenziedly unleashed creativity makes you hallucinate towards the end of the movie and delirium sets in soon. It's not enough that a solid disclaimer is in place, a little bit of research about the subject would've helped things in the process. The underdeveloped script lacks everything - starting from strong plot twists to captive locations to graphics to credibility, above all.

Aayirathil Oruvan also ends on a very scary end note: about the journey of the Chola prince continuing as Karthi takes up the mantle

Parthiban back in Action

Parthiban is all set to sweep people off their feet with his all new avatar in Selva’s ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ this Pongal. Sources close to the film’s makers had it that Parthiban will be there to terrorize the lead actors with different get-ups in different period.

It’s time to see Parthiban as a full length villain soon and producers and director who came to know about this had started to approach Parthiban in a line. But the versatile actor has reportedly refused those offers politely. However Cheran’s one time associate, Sanmugaraj has impressed Parthiban with his fresh script in which Parthiban is the baddy. Though the actor is convinced about his role, he had asked for a break to the director until his ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ hits the theatre.

On the other hand, Parthiban’s ‘Viththagan’ is in its final stage of filming so, the actor is busy with his project and is also acting in his daughter Keerthana’s short film

Selvaraghavan's next project with out Andrea

There was a strong buzz in Kollywood that director Selvaraghavan and wife Sonia Agarwal parted ways because of his close proximity with Andrea. When questioned about this, the director said that all the actors that starred in his Aayirathil Oruvan - Karthi, Parthiban and Reema Sen - became close to him during the film shoot and likewise Andrea also turned out to be his best friend and there is nothing more to their relationship.

He added that his project with Vikram will not have Andrea as he feels working together yet again will give rise to wrong signals in the industry. Selvaraghavan said that it could also affect Andrea’s personal life and he consciously avoided casting her in the film.